G.I. JOE #17 brings the Dreadnok War event to a close. This is the first big storyline for the series as we’ve been seeing a lot of things that have been cooking up paid off. At the same time, the Dreadnoks have proven they are foes not to be messed with. They pushed both Cobra Commander and Duke to their limits. How will this storyline end? We got a chance to find out with an early copy of G.I. JOE #17 from Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment. Find out how it turned out with our advance review.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tom Reilly
Colorist: Jordie BEllaire
Letterer: Rus Wooton
G.I. JOE #17 SOLICITATION
“DREADNOK WAR CONCLUDES!
G.I. Joe vs Cobra vs Dreadnoks! Will the shocking end to the Duke and Cobra Commander team-up result in death?
And a last page twist that will change G.I. Joe forever in the Energon Universe…” – Image Comics & Skybound Entertainment
HIGHLIGHTS FROM G.I. JOE #17
Cobra Commander Brutality
If you didn’t already know it then G.I. JOE #17 will be a reminder that Cobra Commander will do anything. There is no brutality he won’t commit. He is never someone that you should test because when Cobra Commander is making a threat he means it. That is something that the Dreadnoks learn from the start of this comic book. After everything Cobra Commander has been through in this storyline none of that has broken him. He is Cobra Commander and the opening reminds you of that.
Dreadnok War Final Battle
From the strong opening we go directly into the big final fight that drives home why the Dreadnok War was positioned as an event. Joshua Williamson knew exactly that to just have Tom Reilly handle this final battle. Yes, Williamson has some dialogue in the action sequences. The way Williamson writes the dialogue it is done to act as an enhancement to what Reilly is drawing. The battle is intense with the JOEs in particular showing how far they’ve come as a team since the first issue.
Transformers Factor
It was only a matter of time before the Transformers elements of G.I. JOE was going to have a big public impact in this series. That is exactly what happens in G.I. JOE #17. The impact that is made is immediately felt in a way that makes the final battle even bigger. It also leads to major character moments that give us one of the biggest hooks to be excited for the next issue of this series.
Surprises Until the End
G.I. JOE #17 is one of those comics that feels like it had several hook endings. There is something that goes on with all parties involved that build a strong foundation for this series in 2026. That is all driven home by the big reveal in the final page. It was a final page that I did not think we would see. And as someone new to the G.I. JOE franchise it left me excited to find out what it means and the impact it will have moving forward.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN G.I. JOE #17
Nothing!
FINAL THOUGHTS
G.I. JOE #17 is a fantastic end to the Dreadnok War. Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly nail how big the final battle of this story needed to be to show why this was an event. Everyone involved comes out better, whether it is by chemistry or interest level. The multiple hook endings kick off 2026 as strong as possible for the Energon Universe.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
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